STUBBY SAYS: Umpire Concussion? 5 Things to Do

This article is one in a series of Mark "Stubby" Stubblefield's tips for baseball and softball umpires. Mark is the medical coordinator for Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy (MiLBUTA). These tips came from discussions with Mark and his talk "Common Injuries for Umpires" given at MiLBUTA.

You likely have heard of things you can do to prevent concussions such as:

• Setting up behind the plate in the slot, decreasing the likelihood of sustaining a blow to the head.
• Wearing all around protection in an umpire helmet that is in good condition, fits correctly and covers the entire skull.
• Replacing umpire mask pads every year (if you wear a traditional face mask) due to ozone breaking down protective materials.
• Making sure you are alert at all times while on base.

1) Don't hide it. Report it.

Never ignore a blow to your head or your partner's, no matter how insignificant you think it may be.  If you have a trainer or medical professional, report it. If you don't, tell the proper authority within your group whether that be an assigner or other as assigned.

Do not return to participation in a game, work out or other physical activity with symptoms.

The sooner you get checked out, the sooner you may be able to return to umpiring.

2) Be aware of the symptoms.

Symptoms present differently in different individuals. For instance, one person may have 2 or 3 symptoms only and someone else a different set of symptoms.

3 misconceived notions:
1) You don't have to lose consciousness in order for it to be a concussion.
2) Impact does not matter. A light blow where an umpire appears only lightly dazed could still be a concussion.
3) Concussion symptoms do not always appear immediately. Symptoms may appear as much as 4 or 5 days later.

3) Get checked out.
A medical professional can tell you if you have had a concussion and when you are cleared to return to umpire.

4) Take time to recover.
If you have had a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a repeat concussion. And repeat concussions can cause permanent brain damage, and even death.

5) Don't drive home.
And don't let your partner drive home. Driving with a concussion is like driving drunk, now becoming a safety concern for himself and others.